Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Boys, Memorial Day, and Blueberry

One would think that my lack of blogging means I'm ubber busy and full of things to do. One would be wrong. And we hate it when one is wrong.

Let's see...let's make this Update Wednesday.

Boys Boys Boys
Database God never got back to me, so he's been crossed off the list for now. This is the one part about online dating I hate. For some reason people are okay with just blowing others off. It's as if they don't realize that behind the clever screen name is a person who does have feelings. But whatever...his loss. AND he had too many kids for this girl.

Movie Guy and I are scheduled to meet on Friday. I had mentioned to my friend Sean in Florida that I had a blind date. His response was, "With a man?" Freak. Anyhow, we are going to The Big Picture (fitting for the Movie Guy I think) and watching The Valet. It's in French and I'll have to read my way through the movie. But that's fine, the alcohol that will be flowing will make me fluent in any language.

I'm only half way looking forward to meeting Movie Guy. And not for the reason you would think. We've been having some fantastic conversation in email. Its safe and it allows one to be themselves or a mystical version of themselves. Anyhow, my point is I'll miss the emails if he turns out to be a dud. Which, my non cynical side (yes there is one...it's small, but it's there) is trying to tell me that he'll be fine. Just an extension of the fun emails.

Memorial Day = Family = Head Exploding
I'm sure I've mentioned that we don't have a family tree, we have a family hedge. And Memorial day is a perfect opportunity to get to know some of those extended branches (or roots). The weekend and meeting family members went something like this.

"Hi I'm Jenn, Al Wraspir's daughter. And how are you related to me?"

Once you get past the Which then leads to this sometimes complicated dissection of first cousin, once removed, or is it second cousin twice removed, or is it an aunt, or an uncle...no no...its a first cousin twice removed....KABOOM!

But it was fun. It was good to see mom and dad. Brother Jerry and I sat outside one night and chatted for several hours. Which I haven't done in...oh.... ever!

Memorial day in this small town is truly a site to see. People come out of the woodwork to make the cemeteries look beautiful. The Bohemian cemetery was especially flowered filled (that's our family cemetery). So many relatives there to pay their respects to our loved ones who have passed.

Up Up And Away....
For BlueBerry's birthday I gave her a ticket to go on a scenic tour of Seattle through a seaplane company in Seattle. This weekend is shaping up to be BEAUTIFUL here, so I made reservations today. I can't wait. I'm a bit sticker shocked at the price of the tickets for 20 minutes of flight...but it'll be worth it to see Seattle from the sky. Especially if its sunny and beautiful.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

It's Raining Men

Well, no, it really isn't, but that song is stuck in my head. In fact the forecasted "storm" of men I'd be meeting through online dating hasn't exactly developed. That being said there are too very fortunate, hopefuls. I say fortunate because - um - dah, what guy wouldn't be fortunate to be with me? I mean, I can cook!

Bachelor #1 - Code Name: Database God
I met DBG on a new site that promises perfect matches based on your personality (no it's not eHarmony - hate that site). After showing interest in me, and me in him. We got to rank like 12 things that we find important or not important in a relationship. Scale rank them that is. These are important things like, do you like pets? do you like to socialize? etc. Oh and there was do you want your partner to be on the same deep thought level as you? Whatever. I'd be shocked if anyone was EVER on the same deep thought "level" with me. I think I'm stuck on Level 1 and I can't find the damn key to open the door to get to the next level and power source. Anyhow, now I'm waiting for him to respond to a question I sent (such a process).

Bachelor #2 - Code Name: Movie Man
He's a big movie buff. And by big I mean hundreds of movies a year he watches. He and I have been emailing back and forth and have had an excellent conversation in email. I've been patiently waiting (and you all know how patient I am) for him to mention meeting. Every guy I've ever talked about dating with said "men like the hunt". So how long do I let a guy "hunt" before I tell him he's 1) not in a forest, 2) doesn't have a gun and 3) has no idea what exactly he's hunting for? I've even given "hints" - which yes I know men aren't good at picking up on them. But still. Friend Vicky, who's also not a patient person, told me to just suggest a meeting.

and if those two dandies aren't enough: The Xcrush and I are meeting for drinks tonight. His invite. No, I'm not holding my breath. I suspect he wants to discuss possibly working for my company - being a writer and all. But I'll go and have drinks, dinner and conversation with him. If I must.

Stay Tuned. Or as the say in the UK, "Watch this space..."

Saturday, May 19, 2007

I Got Tail and I'm a Faster Sucker

Oh.


My.


God.


I know I've said it before, and I believe at the time I meant it, but my friends....last nights Dudley Manlove show Rocked the Casbah in a BIG way. The boys have been on fire before, but man, I needed a cold shower after the show - their performance was H.O.T.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's begin at the beginning of the night when I took a nose dive down a flight of stairs in the parking garage at the Triple Door. That was a good time. I decided to take the stair case out of the parking garage - assuming the elevator would smell like old man and urine. I was wrong. The stair case smelled like .. well... it smelled. I took one step in a rush to get down two flights of stairs and my shoe decided to slide down the next two. In order to save myself I tossed myself all the way down (okay I didn't make that decision, gravity did for me). At the bottom of the stair well all I could think was, "ick" god only knew what had been on that floor.

Taking a quick inventory to make sure nothing was broken or hurt - but my pride - I gathered myself and tried the door. Locked! "oh hell no," was what went through my mind. So I went one flight lower and found the unlocked door. Could you imagine me being locked in a stair well that smelled and missing the entire show? I would have cried.

The Triple Door wasn't open yet so we hoofed it up the street to the Wild Ginger. Now those of you not from Seattle, The Wild Ginger and The Triple Door share a kitchen, but are different venues. AND The Wild Ginger is a premier eatery in Seattle. I've never actually been through their doors, but last night we sat in the bar and I ordered a very dirty martini. Shaken not stirred. I think I figured the alcohol would remove all the nasty-ies that I encountered in the stair well. .

Off to the Triple Door we went to have another FANTASTIC meal and more drinks. Two Jack & Cokes later the show began. I realized then I didn't bring my camera. My god! Me...Jenn W - Their Biggest Fan Ever - sitting just inches from them and I don't have my F#$% camera! And so the result was me having to use my camera phone. The photo to the right was a result of a couple of drinks, and trying to take a picture with my camera phone. Funny, no?)

Our seat was - well - one suited for the Biggest Dudley Fan Ever (namely me) (aka: DMQ Stalker). We were in the first row of tables and to the left of the stage. My Mr. Jensen was 4 feet from me. FOUR FEET! And my goodness did he belt out the songs.

In case you didn't' know this was the CD recording party. They are about to release their third CD and this show was to be the recording of that CD. So naturally, Nancy, Mike and I made noises to hopefully ensure we would be on the CD.

Now, why the title? Well, during our appetizers (coconut shrimp and kick ass pot stickers) Nancy took a bite of her shrimp, turned to me and said, "Do you want a little tail?" Which now sober doesn't seem nearly as funny as it did last night. Immediately following that comment the waiter (who was H.O.T and funny - which is a good combination - and our waiter for the New Year's Eve party too by the way) delivered the second Jack and Coke. This time I had two straws, by comparison to the first drink which had one small straw. I turned to Nancy and said, "look, now I'm a faster sucker". Anyhow, trust me it was funny.

So what did the boys record? I give you the list - which I was shocked and stunned that I could remember. They opened with Xanadu (Olivia Newton John) and closed with Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)...and in between I could name each new song in two notes.

Xanadu - Olivia Newton John
December 1963 - Frankie Valle
Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Suede
Rock me Gently - Andy Kim
Mrs. Jones - Er ah...?
Never Gonna Give you Up - Rick Astley
I love the night life - Alicia something or other
Right Back Where we Started - Maxine Nightingale
Take on Me - Aha
Hold Me Now - Thompson Twins
Turn to Stone - ELO
Centerfold - JGiles Band
Barbarella - from that Jane Fonda movie
Time - Culture Club
Little Red Corvett - Prince
Don't Leave me this way - Thelma Houston
She's Not There - The Zombies
Does your Mother know - ABBA
Escape (the Pina Colada Song)
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
How Do you Like your Love - Andrea True (I think - it was some porn star who made this song)
So the theme of the songs all night seemed to be love and sex...and to add to that theme we had a genuine stripper on the dance floor in front of us. Well, okay to be honest we really can't confirm she's a stripper...but had there been a pole any where around, she would have fit the bill. Which I kept asking Mike if he had any one's he could give her.

Anyhow...I can't wait for the CD. And considering the week I had, I needed the DMQ break.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

RIP

The following is very sad. Please read it with respect and imagine a sad, story telling reading this to you.

Its been a very sad, sad week for me. I lost something near and dear to my heart. Its been a struggle all week to cope with such a loss, but I'm managing. Technical support, friends and family are helping me deal with this tragedy.

2004 - 2007
Jenn's Work Laptop - may it rest in peace.
It leaves in its wake a terrible loss of data and security of mind that one gets with computers. They are so strong and so stable, that when something this unexpected happens, you're just stuck with asking, "Why?"

It leaves behind cuss words, frustration and a sense of loss that cannot be explained.

Lost in this tragedy is 5 months of project documents, 5 months training notes in OneNote, and all my Internet favorites.

Gone! In an instant! All of it, gone! I'm so sad.

The best part of this sudden death is that it happened on a day I really need to have my laptop available. Not only did I lose a lot of data, but I lost 6 hours of work time which put me behind. Once I did receive a "temporary" laptop to work on, it didn't have any software aside from IE on it. So another hour later, I can actually work...sorta.

Loss of data = loss of productivity

But if one thing has been learned by this tragedy, its that our company has no "official" back up system in the US. And I, being of faithful heart towards technology, am left with this nagging feeling that I should have backed-up on my own. A mistake, I assure you, I will not repeat.

And in the mean time, I'm left in computer hell. In limbo land with my computer. The powers that be are trying to decide if to replace the hard drive in the old laptop, or just get me a new one (keep in mind we have three new ones just sitting here doing nothing). Stay tuned!

*******************
And in other news, more happier news. I got to go to a Seattle Mariner's game last night with GalPal Margo who scored EXCELLENT, (and free) tickets. We didn't much watch the game really mostly due to the distraction of multiple cute guys around (Me thinks sporting events might be a way to meet guys - well, except they'd be all too busy watching the sporting event to notice such staggering beauty as I near by - damn men). And Margo had the unfortunate luck of running in to former Crush who was with another - more trampy - woman. But all was not lost, except for the Mariners - they lost - we had lots of chatty time, lots of beer and good food/peanuts. AND, I picked the right hat during the hat trick, and the right hydro to win the hydro races, BEFORE the games began. (These are silly computer animated games to entertain the fans during the change on the field).

And tomorrow night is the DMQ CD Recording show. I am soooo very excited. I can't wait to see the boys deliver an excellent show. They will be rocking the house in my favorite venue, the Triple Door.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Happy Mom's Day, Mom

Mom is still in Tucson (long story as to why she and dad haven't made their trek North) so I won't get to actually celebrate Mom's Day with her...in fact it has been years since we've celebrated Mom's day together.

Mom's are funny creatures. I'm VERY fortunate to have a mom who's my best friend. She knows everything, well almost everything...I have to keep some secrets for the BFF only. Her and I have an odd bond in that we think the same, do the same things, say the same things, and frequently...and I mean frequently, call each other at the same time.

We have a funny, inside joke when signing off from IM to say "lubya" instead of luvya. And its all because she and I both misspelled it one time when signing off. Now it just feels normal.



So Mom, on this Mother's Day I give you this.



Mama thank you for who I am
Thank you for all the things I'm not
Forgive me for the words unsaid
And for the times I forgot
Mama remember all my life
You showed me love, you sacrificed
Think of those young and early days
How I've changed
Along the way (along the way)

And I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see
That I am where I am because of your truth
And I miss you , I miss you
Mama forgive the times you cried
Forgive me for not making right
All of the storms I may have caused
And I've been wrong
Dry your eyes (dry your eyes)

Cause I know you .... Mama I hope this makes you smile
I hope you're happy with my life
At peace with every choice I made
How I've changed Along the way (along the way)
Cause I know you believed in all of my dreams
And I owe it all to you, mama


I was going to post the video, but then I realized the meaning behind this song in the video was a bit "different" and not what I intended for my mom. But if you're so inclined to hear the song and ignore the message in the video, click here. I mean it is, after all, Il Divo...and that's just yummy no matter how you slice it!

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Poor Widdle Man in the back row

Every time. Every time I teach this project management class, there is some guy (and sorry fellas, but its ALWAYS a guy) who knows more than me. Now, I'm not saying I'm all smarty pants and all, but this particular class is a PM overview of a program at a local community college. While Mr. Smarty Pants in Row 3 *may* know more PM stuff (though he's not a PMP so I doubt it) (that's all I got), he certainly, and I mean 100% certainly, doesn't know more about the local college's program. That is why they have me, up front, teaching it (or spouting off information).

You all know this guy too. He's the one who makes comments about things without actually making sense. He's the one who has to ask a question, even though he knows the answer, because he wants you to think he's smart. He's the one who checks his reflection in every reflecting surface he can find. Yah, Hi - not so cute when you open your big fat mouth.

But, I do have to say, I was very proud of the restrain I had from telling this guy where he could put his Pimp Daddy Smug ass self.

And you know the worst part, he and his attitude made me forget what I was really going to blog about.

Bastard! He is definitely not on my list of date-able male species in the greater Seattle area.

Though on that front, Boeing Boy never ever got back in touch with me. His loss. Besides he called me Sexy and I'm pretty sure that's inappropriate when he doesn't even know my first name. Got hit by three other eligible "things" today (I have to call them "things" because from what I gathered in their profile and writing ability, I would say they have an IQ of a thing. What? I'm just saying...) Though these "things" were from Ohio, Canada and Texas. COME ON PEOPLE!!!! My profile specifically says within TWENTY FIVE miles from me. I'm pretty sure, though its been a while since I've actually checked, that OHIO isn't within 25 miles of me. So I did what any gorgeous geeky girl would do...I mapquested it to find out just how far they were from me....dumbasses..

Ohio / Columbus
(he didn't actually say Columbus, but that was the only city I could think of this quickly in Ohio).
From the "hood" to Columbus: Two Thousand Four Hundred and sixty six miles (2,466). NOT 25 ... But here's the interesting thing about Mapquesting this, I didn't have an address in Columbus OH, so I just said "Columbus Ohio", yet Mapquest ends my trip on E. State Street. I have no idea where that is, well - except its in Columbus OH.
Texas / Houston
(that right there says it all - they don't grow them smart down there - even though I was born there, I got out before the smarts escaped through my mouth via an accent)

From the "hood" to Houston: Two Thousand Four Hundred and fifty (or fiddy) six miles (2,456). NOT 25! Though interesting that its only 10 miles less to go to Houston than Ohio...so Houston's winning out so far. And on my trip to Houston (which will take 35 hours or 12 in a Mustang) I do get to pay tolls along the way and go through part of Wyoming...oh goody.

Canada / Montreal
Two thousand, eight hundred and thirty-seven miles (2,837) ... Whatever...who wants to go to Canada anyhow...AND they speak French there. I don't speak so good french. (you have to say that with a french accent because its funnier that way. At least it was funny in my head).

See what a kick ass PM I am. My risk analysis tells me that online dating is for the birds...and I should mitigate that risk by going to see SpiderMan this weekend and drink some wine.

Monday, May 07, 2007

You know its Monday when...

You're asked to schedule a conf call with all the parties. And all the "parties" are located all over the world, UK, India, Columbia, Spain and Seattle. I think I'll just go home and sleep this one off.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Think Blogger? Me?


As promised, here are my 5 blogs that I'm nominating for a Think Blogger.

1. OnePath - Ken is the person most responsible for me blogging. He's married to my friend Vicky and so the two started this blog. The plan was to have both of them write about their wedded bliss. Instead, Vicky only rarely shows up and Ken spends his wheels posting politics and updates to his fabulous books he's writing.

2. Break Up Babe - Sparkly Sparkly - I've been a long time reader of BreakUp Babe. I even read her book. She's truly a mentor to me for the world of dating. She's recently stopped posting to BreakUp Babe and started her new blog SparklySparkly.

3. Patron Saint of Smart Mouths - I know the Patron Saint nominated me, but I do consider her blog one of the bests. Her wit and her ability to get me laughing is worthy to me for a nomination.

4. Everybody Else is Doing it - FreakMagnet launched into my spectrum by posting a comment to my blog. I was stunned at first that someone outside my immediate family and friends was reading my blog, but in turn I found myself reading her entire blog - from start to finish. She cracks me up.

5. Klieg Light - 99% of the time I have to read and re-read the posts on this site. And 99% of the time, I still don't understand what he's talking about, but I do find many of the posts funny and educational. Oh and I know you're wondering why the hell I would continue reading a blog I don't understand...well it belongs to the xCrush.


The rules behind this Thinking Blogger Thing are as follows:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).

Weekends sometimes suck....

So the weekend was kinda a bust. And by kinda I mean just a little.

Friday night Blueberry and I met in Ballard to have dinner and go see the boys of the Sh*tKickers. They were performing at a dive of a spot, the Salmon Bay Eagles club in Ballard. I've been to this venue before and I have to say...it redefines dive.

But before we get to that part of the story, the before the show was fun. We got down there early and so decided to wonder through some of the fun shops in Ballard. In one shop, the owner and clerk were two older women who were cracking us up. They were blasting disco and just having a helluva good time. As we were leaving they commented on my NY Macy's purse. (which by the way, considering it was the cheapest of the purses I bought in the big apple, its the one I get the most comments on). That, of course, started a conversation. Blueberry and I mentioned we were going to dinner. They suggested we go to this fantastic little place called Volterra. We walked in and were seated immediately. At first glance of the menu, I thought, "OH god, its one of those places." Very shee shee with all sorts of things on the menu I'd never order. For example, wild boar. Ick. But I did find a smoked chicken pasta that was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Or more specifically, a "Bowties with Smoked Chicken (Farfalle con Pollo Affumicato) Bowtie pasta tossed with house smoked chicken, mushrooms, asparagus, artichokes, and tomato cream sauce; topped with Quillisascut ’s Soft Goat Cheese"

And coupled with that was a fantastic cab/merlot blend. Blueberry decided to get dessert and I decided to have their homemade lemoncello. Oh...wow. How I love me my lemoncello. I've not had such flavorful lemoncello since my days in Italy.

So now with all the food aside, we headed off to the Salmon Bay Eagles club to watch the boys of DMQ perform as the Sh*tKickers. We opened the door and be-bopped in. Every single person in the bar turned to look at us...silence fell through the place. I didn't think too much of it. Went up to the bar tender and asked if they were open for the show that night. The bar tender said, "What show?" Before I could get in a word, the drunk bar fly at the end of the bar offered to put a show on for us. Declining his tempting offer I explained to the barkeep and he laughed out loud and announced to the place who we were there to see. And in a voice that rocked through the place he announced that we were early...an entire day early. DOH!

Blueberry and I shuffled out of there in a fast pace and laughed at our stupidity.

Today I treated myself to a pedicure. I laughed my way through the entire thing. They are so not relaxing to me. But my toes are sure purdy.

As for the dating scene, no news is good news. I've been trying to hook up with the Boeing Boy and have been unsuccessful. But I'm still finding myself amused with this process. Boys sure can't think with their heads up north. Will they EVER grow up? Ever?

Friday, May 04, 2007

"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way"

I won't even say I'll hand out kudos for anyone who knows what movie that quote is from. If you don't know, then you don't know me...or movies.

Okay - let's see. First off, Patron Saint kicks ass. She "nominated" me for a Think Blogger award. Apparently she gets all excited when Pookie writes. And because a Patron Saint nominated me I feel so, well - blessed. And in honor of this honor, I'm going to be a practicing Smart Mouth all day/weekend. (No comments from the peanut gallery as to how that's different from normal). I'll put my nominated 5 out this weekend. This is serious business and I must think about it...cuz I'm a Think Blogger. Bahahahaha, look at me, a comedian too.

What isn't so funny is this online dating thing. Oh. My. God.

Number of "smiles" received since last post: a hand full
Number of "smiles" sent: 2 - slim pickings
Number of emails from smiles sent: 2
Number of potential candidates: 2

So this week has showed me that men, in general, really do think with their south pole (if you know what I mean?). One guy, his second IM to me was to provide statistics on his - er ah - manhood. Yah, don't need to know that. And of course, my response was, "that's all. How unfortunate."

Recently, as in today, I was emailed by a young Boeing employee. That should make mom all excited...(hint: she's X Boeing, as is my dad. And well my entire family is Boeing.) His email to me was sweet and quite frankly he hit my ego point. He asked why I was still single...so clearly we're already on the same page. So I'm going to try to hook up with BB (Boeing Boy) this weekend. Cross your fingers.

I did get hit by a smashing young fella from MOROCCO. He must have missed that I was really interested in someone within 25 miles of me...and preferably in the same darn country. Anyhow, his profile read like a long sentence with no punctuation...okay so it was a long sentence. And for your reading enjoyment here it is. (Maybe its bad form to post the bad profiles, but all names have been removed to protect the illiterate)

"hi for every body here really am a man like am now in my pic for me i find my self simple man love the life love to be happy and lough am a man who like foot ball i like it too much i know perhaps any things about foot ball i like also cinema i like to do the works in side house to cook and make it tidy really am searching about awoman who is interesting to be withe me and love me truthfully like i will be love here when we are together really i have my right of charming if u want to know me more contacte me and u will know who am truthful and like i tell u."

Yeah. Lucky me!

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

My favorite boy profile of the day: If you drink Starbuck's you need not apply.

Well, then I'm out! And I'm wired, so there.

But seriously...? Really? You would not date a girl if she drank Starbucks? I'm telling you, there are plenty of odd balls out there to keep me entertain for at least a couple of weeks.

Update:
One smile has produced a instant message conversation, which had to be cut short due to inappropriate topics being raised almost immediately. Why God made men to think with only the head from the south is beyond me? Surely there's a man out there who can carry on a conversation with a woman he's never met and not introduce that topic yet. Good grief!